CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT PLAN OF LUHRI HE PROJECT AREA, Himachal Pradesh

266 Pages·2011·9.74 MB·English

FINAL REPORT
CCCIIISSSMMMHHHEEE

CCCAAATTTCCCHHHMMMEEENNNTTT AAARRREEEAAA TTTRRREEEAAATTTMMMEEENNNTTT PPPLLLAAANNN OOOFFF
LLLUUUHHHRRRIII HHH...EEE... PPPRRROOOJJJEEECCCTTT AAARRREEEAAA,,, HHHiiimmmaaaccchhhaaalll PPPrrraaadddeeessshhh

Prepared for :
SJVN Ltd. (A Joint Venture of Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

CENTRE FOR INTER-DISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF
MOUNTAIN & HILL ENVIRONMENT
University of Delhi, Delhi
PREFACE

The report on the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plan of the proposed Luhri H.E.
Project, Himachal Pradesh covering area between the dam site at Nirath up to the powerhouse
site at Marola is presented. The plan is based on extensive field surveys of the region,
discussions with the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department officials and the project proponents
(SJVNL). While the main aim of the CAT plan is to prevent soil erosion in the catchment and
ensure longevity of the reservoir, the project proponents were keen to make this study a more
fruitful and relevant exercise to address the needs of the resident human population.

The delimitation of degraded areas to be treated has been carried out using remotely
sensed data and analyses were carried out using GIS softwares. The results are presented in the
form of a number of GIS outputs at sub-watershed levels covering 74 sub-watersheds in the
study area. Though soil erosion was estimated in all the 74 sub-watersheds, however treatment
plan has been prepared for the free draining catchment area only. The areas earmarked for
treatment have been prioritized based on the intensity of soil erosion in a particular area of the
sub-watershed. The treatment measures suggested include both biological and engineering
methods to check soil erosion. A number of novel methods, particularly in biological measures,
have been proposed in order to select the locally available material for prevention of soil loss and
stabilization of the degraded areas.

The report emphasizes on the need to rejuvenate various degraded ecosystems in order to
ensure sustainable yield of resources like water, fuel wood and fodder for the needs of local
human population living in the catchments as well as create suitable viable habitats for the
wildlife in the area. An integrated catchment area management is proposed to ensure socially
relevant, economically viable and ecologically sustainable development.

It is hoped that the physical and fiscal targets outlined in the plan will be executed by the
project proponents which will not only ensure the economic upliftment and better quality of life
for the residents living in the catchment, but will also guarantee a reasonably long life of the
proposed Luhri H.E. Project reservoir.

December, 2009 M.K. Pandit
Delhi Professor and Director
Project Team

Principal Investigator :

Professor Maharaj K. Pandit

Core Team :

Dr. M.S. Bisht, Sr. Scientist
Dr. J.P. Bhatt, Scientist
Dr. S.K. Pattanayak, Scientist
Dr. D.C. Nautiyal, Scientist
Dr. Vikrant Jain, Associate Professor
Dr. Dorje Dawa, Scientist
Mr. Rajender Mehta, GIS-Remote Sensing Analyst

Research Staff :

Ms. Simin Elahi
Ms Monica
Mr. N. Johan Kumar Singh
Ms. Sudha Tiwari

Supporting Staff :

Mr. Ajay Gaur
Ms. Dimple Razdan
Mr. Rohit Singh
Mrs. Sheela
Mr. Baljeet Singh
Mr. Satpal Singh
Ms. Laxmi Negi
Mr. Chandan Singh
Mr. Kalam Singh
Mr. Yashpal Singh
Mr. Digamber Singh
CONTENTS

Page No.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 HIMACHAL PRADESH 1
1.2 SATLUJ RIVER BASIN 2
1.3 CATCHMENT AREA OF LUHRI HE PROJECT 3
1.3.1 Climate 4
1.3.2 Silt load in Satluj Basin 4
1.4 LAND USE/ LAND COVER 5
1.5 BIODIVERSITY 6
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 7
1.7 COST OF THE PLAN 8
1.8 SCHEDULE OF THE CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT PLAN 9

CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 INTRODUCTION 10
2.2 STUDY AREA 10
2.3 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND BASE MAP 11
2.4 LAND USE AND LAND COVER 11
2.4.1 Ground Truth Collection 14
2.4.2 Classification Scheme 15
2.5 FOREST TYPES AND VEGETATION COVER 16
2.6 FLORAL AND FAUNAL ELEMENTS 16
2.7 SOIL 16
2.8 EROSION INTENSITY MAPPING 16
2.8.1 Areas to be Treated 17
2.8.2 Treatment Measures 17

CHAPTER 3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
3.1 DEMOGRAPHY 18

CHAPTER 4 PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
4.1 INTRODUCTION 31
4.2 SATLUJ RIVER SYSTEM 31
4.3 RELIEF 32
4.4 ASPECT 32
4.5 CLIMATE AND RAINFALL 32
4.6 SLOPE 35
4.6.1 Satluj Watershed 35
4.6.2 Nogli Gad Watershed 36
4.6.3 Kurpan Gad Watershed 37
4.6.4 Machhad Gad Watershed 37
4.6.5 Bhera Khad Watershed 38
4.6.6 Beha Khad Watershed 38
4.6.7 Dhurmu Gad Watershed 38
4.6.8 Chainra Gad Watershed 39
4.7 DRAINAGE DENSITY 39
4.8 DRAINAGE NETWORK IN MAJOR WATERSHEDS UPSTREAM
OF THE DAM SITE 39
4.8.1 Nogli Gad Watershed 40
4.8.2 Kurpan Gad Watershed 45
4.8.3 Machhad Gad Watershed 48

CHAPTER 5 GEOLOGY
5.1 INTRODUCTION 53
5.2 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY 53
5.2.1 Jeori-Wangtu Granitoid Gneiss 54
5.2.2 Sundernagar Group 55
5.2.3 Shali/Larji Group 55
5.2.4 Rampur Group 55
5.2.5 Shimla Group 56
5.2.6 Jutogh/Kullu Group 56
5.2.7 Subathu (Khakra) Group 57
5.2.8 Older and Newer Alluvium 57
5.3 STRUCTURES 58
5.4 VULNERABILITY TO EROSION 59

CHAPTER 6 SOIL
6.1 INTRODUCTION 63
6.2 SOIL TYPES 64
6.2.1 Lithic Cryorthents 64
6.2.2 Typic Udorthents 64
6.2.3 Typic Eutrochrepts 65
6.2.4 Dystric Eutrochrepts 65
6.2.5 Soils of Fluvial Valleys (Typic Udifluvents) 65
6.3 SOIL DEPTH 65
6.4 CONCLUSION 67

CHAPTER 7 LAND USE/ LAND COVER
7.1 INTRODUCTION 68
7.2 LAND USE/ LAND COVER 69
7.2.1 Beha Khad (Bk) 70
7.2.2 Bhera Khad (Brk) 70
7.2.3 Chainra Gad (Cg) 70
7.2.4 Dhurmu Gad (Drg) 70
7.2.5 Kurpan Gad (Kg) 71
7.2.6 Machhad Gad (Mg) 71
7.2.7 Nogli Gad (Ng) 71
7.2.8 Satluj River (St) 71

CHAPTER 8 SOIL EROSION
8.1 ESTIMATION OF SOIL EROSION IN CATCHMENT 75

CHAPTER 9 TREATMENT PLAN
9.1 INTRODUCTION 83
9.2 OBJECTIVES 84
9.3 AREA FOR TREATMENT IN THE CATCHMENT 91
9.4 TREATMENT MEASURES 93
9.4.1 Engineering Methods 93
9.4.2 Biological Methods 96
9.5 NURSERY DEVELOPMENT 101
9.6 MODERNISATION OF NURSERIES 101
9.7 GAUGE AND DISCHARGE STATIONS 101
9.8 FOREST INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 102
9.9 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT 102
9.10 ROOF TOP HARVESTING IN HPFD BUILDING 104
9.11 RIM PLANTATION 105
9.12 IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF WILDLIFE 105
9.13 JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT INCLUDING MICROPLANING 108
9.14 GOSADAN 109
9.15 RESEARCH AND STUDIES 109
9.16 ENERGY CONSERVATION/ FOREST PROTECTION 109
9.17 ECO-TOURISM 111
9.18 ECO-SERVICES 112
9.19 ECO-BATALLION 112
9.20 MONITORING AND EVALUATION 112
9.21 SCHEDULE OF TREATMENT PLAN 113
9.22 COST ESTIMATE FOR TREATMENT PLAN 113

BIBLIOGRAPHY 114

ANNEXURES I - VIII
LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Database used for land use/ land cover mapping of Satluj river catchment
Table 3.1 Demographic profile of the districts under catchment area of Luhri H.E. project
Table 3.2 Demographic profile of Luhri catchment area villages (Shimla)
Table 3.3 Demographic profile of Luhri catchment area villages (Kullu)
Table 3.4 Demographic profile of Luhri catchment area villages (Mandi)
Table 4.1 Annual rainfall in Satluj basin in the stretch between Bilaspur to Purbani
Table 4.2 Month-wise rainfall at Rampur for the period 1999 to 2004
Table 5.1 Regional stratigraphic framework of Lesser Himalayan rocks of Satluj valley
Table 6.1 Soil series and their descriptions in the Satluj CAT H.E project
Table 7.1 Area (sq km) under forest cover in Himachal Pradesh and its three districts
Table 7.2 Area (ha) under different land use/ land cover categories in the catchment of Luhri H.E.
project area (Rampur dam to powerhouse site at Marola)
Table 7.3 Area (ha) under different land use/ land cover categories in the catchment of Luhri H.E.
project area (Rampur dam to powerhouse site at Marola)
Table 8.1 Area under different intensity of erosion in the watershed of Luhri HEP catchment
Table 8.2 Area (ha) under different erosion intensity categories in sub-watersheds of Satluj CAT
H.E. project
Table 9.1 Salient features of the catchment area of Luhri H.E. project
Table 9.2 Area (ha) under different erosion intensity categories in sub-watersheds of Luhri H.E.
project area
Table 9.3 Distribution of treatment area for sub-watersheds under different ranges in 5 different
divisions
Table 9.4 The proposed locations of the Gauge & Discharge stations in the catchment
Table 9.5 The break-up of budget for operational support
Table 9.6 Year wise and Division wise cost distribution
Table 9.7 Division wise and Range wise percentage at a glance
Table 9.8 Year-wise physical and financial layout of CAT Plan for Luhri H.E. Project
Table 9.9 Component-wise cost abstract of CAT Plan (in lakhs) & percentage at a glance
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Location map of the Luhri H.E. project
Figure 1.2 Map showing district and tehsil boundaries in the catchment area (up to powerhouse
site) of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 1.3 Map of Satluj river basin showing the study area
Figure 1.4 Index map of Satluj river basin with watershed and sub-watershed boundaries of the
project area of Luhri H.E. project
Figure 2.1 Flow diagram for land use/ land cover classification
Figure 3.1 Percentage of district population living in catchment
Figure 4.1 Drainage map of Satluj river catchment (Rampur damsite to powerhouse, Marola) of the
proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 4.2 Relief map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 4.3 Aspect map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 4.4 Month-wise variation of rainfall at Rampur from 1999 to 2004
Figure 4.5 Slope map with sub-watershed boundaries of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 4.6 Coverage area (ha) in different slope categories for (a) Satluj; (b) Nogli Gad; (c) Kurpan
Gad; (d) Machhad Gad; (e) Bhera Khad; (f) Beha Khad; (g) Dhurmu Gad and (h)
Chainra Gad
Figure 4.7 Graph showing variation of drainage density in different sub-watersheds
Figure 5.1 Geological map of the region around proposed Luhri H.E. project
Figure 6.1 Soil map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 6.2 Soil depth map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 7.1 FCC (False Colour Composite) map generated from IRS-P6 LISS-III, 2006 of the Luhri
H.E. project area
Figure 7.2 Land use/ land cover map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project area
Figure 7.3 Land use/ land cover map of the Beha Khad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 7.4 Land use/ land cover map of the Bhera Khad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 7.5 Land use/ land cover map of the Chainra Gad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 7.6 Land use/ land cover map of the Dhurmu Gad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 7.7 Land use/ land cover map of the Kurpan Gad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 7.8 Land use/ land cover map of the Machhad Gad of the purposed Luhri H.E project

Figure 7.9 Land use/ land cover map of the Nogli Gad watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E project
Figure 7.10 Land use/ land cover map of the Satluj River watershed of the purposed Luhri H.E
project
Figure 8.1 Erosion intensity map of the proposed Luhri H.E. project
Figure 9.1 Index map of Satluj river basin with division and range boundaries of the project area of
the proposed Luhri H.E. project
Figure 9.2 A Schematic diagram of a double row brush wood check (a) and its cross section along
the dam A-A’ (b) and across the dam (c).
Figure 9.3 A Schematic diagram of a Dry rubble stone check dam showing section along the dam
looking up gully (a) and section along A-A’ on diagram (b).
Figure 9.4 Year-wise treatment measures of catchment of the project area of Luhri H.E. project
Figure 9.5 Map showing division-wise and range-wise treatment area of the project area of the
proposed Luhri H.E project

Plate 7.1 A view of Nogli Gad (Above), Kurpan Valley (Middle) and Machhad Gad (Below)
Plate 7.2 A view of Satluj near Damsite (Above), Satluj (HRT stretch) and Satluj near
Powerhouse site (Below)
Plate 9.1 Staggered contour trenches